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Abstract:

A spectral interferometry apparatus and method are disclosed, that can be
used to monitor or measure an unknown length by following a
characteristic of an indicating signal. The measurement is performed by
adjusting an optical path difference (OPD) in an interferometer part of
an interferometer configuration until sound or light or both are obtained
with the desired strength and pitch. Embodiments are presented where the
unknown length is the eye length. Spectral interrogation of the
interferometer optical output is achieved by reading the signal of an
analogue photodetector array in a spectrometer or by tuning a swept
source and processing the signal of a photodetector. Sound of different
pitches are produced either directly in this process, or by using a
nonlinear amplifier, or a mixer. For enhanced signal, the array may be
driven by a nonlinear clock or the swept source may be driven by a
distorted driving signal.

Claims:

1. Spectral interferometry apparatus for measuring an unknown length
between a first point, A, and a second point, B, where point A is placed
on or in an object, apparatus comprising: an optical source; an
interferometer configuration having at least an interferometer equipped
with at least two optical paths and where each interferometer provides an
output optical signal; a spectral interrogator configuration equipped
with at least a spectral interrogating unit, arranged to deliver a
measuring signal for each of the output optical signal by interrogating
the spectrum of each of the output optical signals; an adjusting length
device arranged to change the length of at least one of the optical paths
of the interferometer, the adjusting length device having a measuring
means providing a length measurement of the at least one optical path,
and an electronic processing unit for the at least a measuring signal,
which provides an indicating signal to an indicating means; wherein the
spectral interferometry apparatus is arranged to perform the measurement
of the unknown length by actuating on the adjusting length device until a
characteristic of the indicating signal provided by the indicating means
reaches a desired value and the value of the unknown length is obtained
from the indication of the measuring means.

2. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
measuring means, is a micrometer screw, a graded knob or a sliding ruler.

3. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
optical source is broadband; and the spectral interrogating unit
comprises a spectrometer equipped with a linear photodetector array
scanned at a frequency F to provide the measuring signal,

4. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
optical source is a narrow band swept source, and the spectral
interrogating unit is equipped with at least a photodetecting unit which
provides at least a measuring signal while tuning the optical source at
rate F.

5. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
indicating means contains a first loudspeaker or a earphone and the
characteristic of the said indicating signal is the intensity of the
sound emitted by the loudspeaker or the earphone.

6. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
indicating means contains an additional second loudspeaker and the
characteristic of the said indicating signal is the pitch of the sound
emitted by the second loudspeaker.

7. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
indicating means contain a needle or digital meter and the characteristic
of the said indicating signal is the voltage or current indicated by the
meter.

8. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the indicating means contains a luminous emitter and the
characteristic of the said indicating signal is the intensity of the
light emitted by the luminous emitter or its colour.

9. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1 where the
electronic processing unit is equipped with at least a band-pass filter
which is tuned on a frequency within the audible range delivered to the
said loudspeakers.

10. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1 where the
electronic processing unit is equipped with a frequency to amplitude
convertor which translates the frequency of the said measuring signal
into an amplitude for the indicating signal.

11. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 3, where the
linear photodetector array is read using a clock pulse with variable time
interval between successive pulses and where the time interval between
clock pulses is altered in such a way as to produce a linear dependence
between the moment of time a pixel in the array is read and the optical
frequency in the said spectrum of the said output optical signal.

12. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 4, where the
said swept source is controlled by a voltage source, wherein the voltage
source is arranged to produce a voltage signal that during the tuning
cycle 1/F has a voltage versus time variation distorted in such a way so
that the optical frequency of the swept source varies linearly in time.

13. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
adjusting length device is a translation stage, equipped with a knob or a
cursor, where the translation stage is moved by actuating on the knob or
the cursor and the knob or the cursor are marked with divisions or the
stage is equipped with a ruler, and where the positions of the stage can
be identified from the divisions of the knob, cursor or ruler, and where
the translation stage carries elements parts of the interferometer which
determine a change in the optical path travelled by light.

14. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
said 2.sup.nd point B is placed inside the apparatus, so that the unknown
length refers to the distance between the object, point A, and the
apparatus, and the reference beam is circulated inside the apparatus.

15. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1 wherein point
B is the bottom part of an object and the unknown distance is the
thickness, E of the object measured between A and B.

16. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the
said object is the eye and the unknown length, E, is the eye length.

17. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 15, where the
interferometer configuration consists in: (i) an interface optics
equipped with a 1.sup.st splitter, which collects returned signals from
both points A and B and where the two beams from A and B define a two
beam sensing interferometer, and the difference of optical path travelled
roundtrip by light from the 1.sup.st splitter to A and from 1.sup.st
splitter to B defines an OPD1, and (ii) an adjustable two beam
interferometer, whose optical path difference measured between its path
lengths is OPD2, and where the said adjusting length device in claim
1 is used to alter OPD2, and where the sensing interferometer and
the adjustable two beam interferometer are connected in series, to
provide the output optical signal to the said spectral interrogator which
produces a measuring signal of frequency f proportional to the difference
between OPD1 and OPD.sub.2.

18. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 15, where the
interferometer configuration consists in two interferometers, where a
1.sup.st interferometer consists in: (i) a 1.sup.st interface optics to
collect light from point A to form an object beam of the 1.sup.st
interferometer (ii) a 1.sup.st reference optics to form a 1.sup.st
reference beam and where the optical path between the lengths traversed
by the two beams in the 1.sup.st interferometer is OPD1, a 2nd
interferometer that consists in (iii) a 2nd interface optics to collect
light from point B to form an object beam of the 2nd interferometer, (ii)
a 2nd reference optics to form a 2.sup.nd reference beam and where the
optical path between the lengths traversed by the two beams in the 2nd
interferometer is OPD2, and where the output optical signals of the
two interferometers are both present in the said output optical signal of
the interferometer configuration, and where the spectral interrogator
configuration generates a measuring signal of frequency f1 for the
output signal from the 1.sup.st interferometer and a measuring signal of
frequency f2 for the output signal from the 2nd interferometer and
where the electronics processing unit further contains a nonlinear
amplifier followed by a low pass filter which provides an indicating
signal of frequency |f1-f2|.

19. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, where the
interferometer configuration consists in two independent interferometers,
where a 1.sup.st interferometer consists in: (i) a 1.sup.st interface
optics to collect light from point A to form an object beam of the
1.sup.st interferometer (ii) a 1.sup.st reference optics to form a
1.sup.st reference beam and where the optical path between the lengths
traversed by the two beams in the 1.sup.st interferometer is OPD1, a
2nd interferometer that consists in (i) a 2nd interface optics to collect
light from point B to form an object beam of the 2nd interferometer (ii)
a 2nd reference optics to form a 2.sup.nd reference beam and where the
optical path between the lengths traversed by the two beams in the 2nd
interferometer is OPD2, and where the output optical signals of the
two interferometers are independent of each other and are each sent to a
separate output optical signal of the said interferometer configuration,
and where the spectral interrogator configuration consists in two
spectral interrogator units, processing independently and simultaneously
the output optical signal from 1.sup.st interferometer and the output
optical signal from 2.sup.nd interferometer and where a 1.sup.st spectral
interrogating unit generates a measuring signal of frequency f1 for
the output signal from the 1.sup.st interferometer, and a 2.sup.nd
spectral interrogating unit generates a measuring signal of frequency
f2 for the output signal from the 2nd interferometer and where the
electronics processing unit further contains a two input mixer followed
by a low pass filter which receives the two measuring signals and
provides an indicating signal of frequency |f1-f2|.

20. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
electronic processing unit contains: an amplifier of the measuring
signal, a rejection filter tuned on the frequency F, and a band-pass
filter tuned on a reference frequency within the audible range.

21. Spectral interferometry apparatus according to 1 where the indicating
means is provided with indicators of sufficient signal being returned
from the two measuring points, A and B, further comprising the object
interface optics and reference interface optics equipped with focus
adjusting elements for actuation to enhance the strength of the signal
being returned from the two measuring points A and B.

22. Spectral interferometry method for measuring an unknown length
between a first point, A, and a second point, B, including adjusting the
optical path difference (OPD) of an interferometer in an interferometer
configuration until a certain characteristic of an indicating signal
reaches a desired value, where the OPD is adjusted actuating on measuring
means equipping adjusting means and where the unknown length is inferred
from the indication of the measuring means when the characteristic of the
indicating signal has reached the desired value.

23. Spectral interferometry method according to claim 22 where the
indicating signal is sound and the desired value is the maximum sound.

24. Spectral interferometry method according to claim 22 where the
indicating signal is sound and the desired value is the pitch of the
sound emitted.

25. Spectral interferometry method for monitoring the variation of an
unknown length between a first point, A, and a second point, B, from a
value of reference, and where a measuring signal is obtained by spectral
interrogation of the optical output signal from an interferometer
configuration, where the unknown length is part of the optical path
difference in an interferometer part of the interferometer configuration,
and where the measuring signal frequency is converted into audible
frequency and the monitoring of variation of length is inferred from how
much the pitch of the sound differs from a pitch of reference.

Description:

[0002] The present invention relates to a spectral interferometry
apparatus and method, which can be used to monitor or measure an optical
path difference by following a characteristic of an indicating signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There is a growing interest in the application of low coherence
interferometry in the general field of sensing. Low coherence
interferometry methods provide absolute distance measurements and are
well suited for measuring absolute or relative distances based on signal
returned by rough reflecting surfaces. Spectral low coherence
interferometry (LCI) methods are based on the measurement of periodicity
of the channelled spectrum of the optical signal coming from a two beam
interferometer. The larger the optical path difference (OPD) in the
interferometer, the denser the spectral modulation of the channelled
spectrum. This can be read using a spectrometer, employing a dispersing
element, such as a prism or a diffraction grating, to disperse
respectively diffract light on a linear photodetecting camera to
transduce the channelled spectrum of the interferometer output into a
temporal signal, when the interferometer is excited by a large bandwidth
optical source. Alternatively, a narrow band tuneable optical source, a
swept source (SS), can be employed. By tuning the optical frequency of
the optical source, the channelled spectrum is scanned point by point and
a temporal signal is obtained again.

[0004] Channelled spectrum methods have been used in the sensing and fibre
optic sensing field. Several implementations are known, using
photodetector linear arrays, such as CCD and CMOS, to interrogate the
optical signal output of the sensing interferometer, which allows to scan
the channelled spectrum and produce a measuring signal. Such a method and
device are disclosed in "Channeled Spectrum Display using a CCD Array for
Student Laboratory Demonstrations", published by A. Gh. Podoleanu, S.
Taplin, D. J. Webb and D. A. Jackson in the European J. Phys., 15,
(1994), p. 266-271.

[0005] The advantage of spectral methods is that the OPD information is
translated into the periodicity of peaks and troughs in the channelled
spectrum and no mechanical means are needed to scan the object in depth,
when performing optical coherence tomography (OCT) of tissue.

[0006] If multi-layered objects are imaged, such as tissue, each layer
will imprint its own channelled spectrum periodicity, depending on its
depth, with the amplitude of the spectrum modulation proportional to the
square root of the reflectivity of that layer. A fast Fourier transform
(FFT) of the signal delivered by a linear photodetector array, a CMOS or
CCD linear camera signal, translates the periodicity of the channelled
spectrum into peaks of different frequencies, with the frequency directly
related to the OPD value. This measurement method is called frequency
domain LCI (FD-LCI). The reflectivity profile with depth obtained by FFT
is termed as an A-scan. Grouping together several A-scans, a B-scan or a
cross section OCT image is obtained.

[0007] If a SS is used to scan the channelled spectrum of the
interferometer, then the channelled spectrum profile is obtained directly
in time, as a signal delivered by a photodetector device, method called
SS-LCI. The FFT of such a signal leads to an A-scan again.

[0008] The methods above present the disadvantage that information is
obtained by performing FFT. This requires a processor or a PC. Also, the
standard method requires a display device, usually a monitor of a PC or a
Laptop. Despite the continuous progress in computing and digital signal
processing, these systems and devices raise the size and cost of FD-LCI
and SS-LCI systems and of their OCT counterparts, FD-OCT and SS-OCT
systems.

[0009] In measurements of distances in the field, in constructions,
industry, portable systems are required. To extend spectral domain--LCI
measurements to such sensing and industrial applications, low cost, small
size and reduced weight systems are necessary.

[0010] In ophthalmology, measurement of eye length is performed before any
cataract operation. Such measurements are performed using high cost
instruments. Such instruments have a large size and are expensive. There
is a need for such measurements to be more accessible to small
ophthalmology practices. There is also a proven need to liaise the audio
signal to the value of a quantity to be measured in complex environments
where the sight is concentrated on the most complex tasks, such as
surgery.

[0011] The patent application US2005/023727 A1, by Podoleanu and Rogers,
used a loudspeaker to indicate the strength of the interference signal in
a time domain optical coherence tomography system. The audible signal
strength was an indication of signal detected and was not used in any
measurement of any quantity.

[0012] Patent application US2008/0218588 A1, proposes an audio signal to
transmit information about a captured image. However, this audio signal
is used for transmission means only and does not allow for the direct
monitoring or measurement of a system parameter.

[0013] The present invention provides methods and apparatuses which can
advantageously perform measurements of lengths and optical path
difference using a minimum of devices which can be conveniently assembled
in a small size, low weight and low cost instrument that can be operated
independent of computational power, simply by following a meter
indication, a needle, a digital indication, a source of light or a source
of sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a
spectral interferometry method to measure an unknown length, based on an
interferometer where an adjustment of an adjusting length device is
performed until sound of a certain frequency is obtained. When the sound
reaches maximum intensity, the value of the adjusting length provides a
measure of the unknown length.

[0015] The unknown length could be that between an object and the
instrument, could be that between two reflectors in a sensor, between two
walls in constructions, between two parts in robotics, or the distance
between the cornea and retina in an eye.

[0016] The present invention relates to a spectral interferometry
apparatus and method, which can be used to monitor or measure an optical
path difference by following a characteristic of an indicating signal.

[0017] In particular, the method may be Fourier domain optical low
coherence interferometry (FD-LCI) or swept source optical low coherence
interferometry (SS-LCI). As a further particularity, the characteristic
of the indicating signal is the strength of sound and/or its pitch, or
the strength of signal of a certain frequency passing through a pass band
filter and determining an indication in the form of a voltage, light or
sound. According to the invention, the measurement and monitoring may be
performed without resorting to digital display or computational power,
i.e. no PC is necessary. The method and apparatus presented may require a
single adjustment until maximum is achieved for a sound or for the
indication shown by a needle meter or by a digital meter, or for the
intensity of light emitted by a displaying unit or by a light emitting
diode (LED) or by several such LEDs. The adjustment may involve rotation
of a knob or sliding a cursor along a ruler which reads the value of the
unknown length. Guidance on the adjustment direction of the knob or
cursor may be provided by following the pitch of the sound. Guidance on
the adjustment direction may also be provided by the colour of a
displaying device.

[0018] In a second aspect, there is provided a spectral interferometry
apparatus using a broadband source and a linear array in a spectrometer
which provides the measuring signal.

[0019] In a third aspect, there is provided a spectral interferometry
apparatus where a tunable narrow band source and a photodetector unit
delivers the measuring signal.

[0020] In a fourth aspect, measurement of the eye length is performed by
focusing light on the anterior chamber of an eye, collecting light from
the anterior chamber via a first optical delay and collecting light from
the retina along a second optical delay, and where the measurement
consists in adjusting one of the first or second delay or both until
maximising the indication of a meter or the intensity of a light source
or the strength of a sound of a certain frequency. Embodiments are
disclosed based either on a large band source and a linear camera, or
based on a tuneable narrow band source and a photodetecting unit.

[0021] In a fifth aspect, a configuration of Talbot bands is implemented
to shift the maximum sensitivity of the FD-LCI method away from zero OPD,
to a value of reference, OPDref and where the measurement of the
unknown length is concluded when the OPD is adjusted to OPDref.

[0022] In a sixth aspect, an interferometer configuration made from two
interferometers in series (a tandem interferometer) is used, where the
unknown length is part of the lengths of arms forming a 1st
interferometer (sensing interferometer, of optical path difference,
OPD1), a device is employed to modify an adjusting length, part of
the optical path difference, OPD2, in a 2nd interferometer
(adjusting or receiving interferometer) and a spectral interrogating unit
outputs a measuring signal whose frequency is proportional to the
difference of the OPD1 and OPD2, and where for example, the
unknown length is the eye length.

[0023] In a seventh aspect, an interferometer configuration is employed
made from two interferometers, and where for the OPD in each
interferometer, OPD1 and OPD2, an output optical signal is
produced by each interferometer and where a spectral interrogating unit
processes both output optical signals to deliver an electric measuring
signal to a nonlinear electronic amplifier followed by a low pass filter
that provides an electric signal whose frequency is proportional to the
difference of the OPD1 and OPD2,

[0024] In an eighth aspect, an interferometer configuration is employed
made from two independent interferometers, for the OPD in each
interferometer a measuring signal is output by each interferometer and
where for the OPD in each interferometer, OPD1 and OPD2, an
output optical signal is produced by each interferometer and where a
separate spectral interrogating unit processes each output optical signal
to deliver each, an electric measuring signal, and where a two input
electric mixer followed by a low pass filter is used to mix the two
electric measuring signals to produce an electric signal whose frequency
is proportional to the difference of the OPD1 and OPD2.

[0025] In a ninth aspect, a method and apparatus are provided to perform
the operation of a stethoscope to produce sound at the rate of a heart
beat.

[0026] In a tenth aspect, an analogue linearization solution is provided,
for the frequency reading of signals from a linear CCD array or from a
photodetector unit when using a swept source.

[0027] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of
operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will
be better understood from the following drawings in which presently
preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated by way of
example.

[0028] It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a
definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of
example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to the
invention.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows a detailed embodiment of the invention using FD-LCI

[0032] FIG. 3A displays the typical output of a linear camera in an FD-LCI
based spectral interrogating unit showing repetitions in time of the
channelled spectrum.

[0033] FIG. 3B displays the optimized output of the linear camera used to
read the channelled spectrum.

[0034]FIG. 4 shows a detailed embodiment of the invention using SS-LCI

[0035] FIG. 5 shows the plot of length measurements of a varying length
following the strength of sound in the embodiment in FIG. 2.

[0036]FIG. 6 displays a first version of an apparatus for measuring the
eye length using FD-LCI according to the invention.

[0037]FIG. 7 exemplifies a second version of an apparatus for measuring
the eye length using FD-LCI according to the invention.

[0038] FIG. 8 exemplifies a third version of an apparatus for measuring
the eye length using FD-LCI according to the invention.

[0039]FIG. 9 shows an apparatus for measuring the eye length using SS-LCI
according to the invention.

[0040]FIG. 10 shows an apparatus for measuring the thickness of an object
using a common path probe head in a tandem interferometer configuration
with SS-LCI interrogation according to the invention.

[0041]FIG. 11 shows an apparatus for measuring the thickness of an object
using a common path probe head in a tandem interferometer configuration
with FD-LCI interrogation according to the invention.

[0042] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment using a two interferometer
configuration and FD-LCI.

[0043] FIG. 13 illustrates another version of an embodiment using a two
interferometer configuration and FD-LCI.

[0044]FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the invention using two
independent interferometers and two FD-LCI spectral interrogating units.

[0045] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the invention using two
independent interferometers and two SS-LCI spectral interrogating units.

[0046] FIG. 16 shows an inventive step on linearization of data from
analogue photodetector units used in SS-LCI.

[0047]FIG. 17 shows an inventive step on linearization of data from a
photodetector array used in FD-LCI.

[0048]FIG. 18 shows an improved diagram for the electronic processing
unit. Components which are the same in the various figures have been
designated by the same numerals for ease of understanding.

[0049] Where optical fibres are used, this is only as an example and it
should be noted that a bulk implementation is equally feasible, in which
case the respective elements using in-fibre components, are to be
replaced by optical paths and the directional fibre couplers by bulk
beam-splitters, in the form of plates or cubes. Likewise, where bulk
components are used, they could equally be replaced by optical fibre
components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of
operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will
be better understood from the following discussion.

[0051] An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown
in block diagram in FIG. 1, where light from an optical source block 1 is
sent to an interferometer configuration, 2. This may consist in a single
or more interferometers. The OPD in each such interferometer is
determined by the difference between a reference path length and an
object path length. The object path length is measured from the
interferometer configuration, up to a point, point A on the object 3. The
reference path length can be measured either along a reference path
length inside the interferometer configuration, or up to a point on the
object, point B.

[0052] In the first case, the apparatus is used to measure distance AB
between the object, 3 and the interferometer configuration, 2, in which
case an arbitrary point B is considered inside the apparatus, shown for
example inside block 2. In the second case, the apparatus is used to
measure the thickness AB of the object 3. The OPD in each interferometer
can be adjusted actuating on a translations stage, 4, equipped with
measuring means, 5, in the form of a micrometer screw, a graded knob or a
sliding ruler. Equivalently, the translation stage may be replaced by a
spectral scanning delay line, using a diffraction grating, a focusing
element and a tilting mirror according to means known in the art, and
where the OPD is adjusted by tilting the mirror. The output optical
signal, 60, is sent to a spectral interrogator, 6. The spectral
interrogator may consist in a single or more spectral interrogating
units, one for each output optical signal from each interferometer. Each
spectral interrogating unit produces a measuring signal 7, and if more
measuring signals are produced, then all are sent and processed by an
electronics processing unit, 8. This may include bandpass filters, a
mixer, or a nonlinear amplifier. Signals from different blocks inside 8,
are delivered to indicators, in a block of indicators, 9. This contains
at least a loudspeaker, or at least an earphone 92, outputting as
indicating signal sound, or a displaying unit, equipped with an LED or
several LEDs of different colours, 93, outputting as indicating signal
light or a needle indicator 95, such as a voltmeter or ammeter, or a
digital meter, outputting as indicating signal, a needle indication or a
digital value. The optical source block includes a broadband optical
source, 11, or could be a narrow band, tuneable source, SS, 13.

[0053]FIG. 2 shows details of an embodiment of apparatus according to the
invention, where the optical source 1 consists in a broadband source, 11
[such as a superluminiscent diode (SLD), a light emitting diode (LED), a
thermal source, or any other optical source providing a wide linewidth,
such as a photonic crystal fibre] and a collimating optical element, 12,
in the form of a curved mirror or lens. The interferometer configuration
consists in a single interferometer, equipped with a 1st splitter,
beamsplitter 21, which splits light into two arms, a reference arm
towards a mirror 41 in the adjusting length device 4, and an object arm
towards the 1st point, A, on the object 3. Here distance is
monitored or measured between point A, on object 3 and 1st splitter,
beamsplitter 21, where the 2nd point, B is considered virtually situated
inside the apparatus. Here, the distance AB is measured from the object
to the apparatus. Light beams returned from 3 and 41 are sent to the
spectral interrogator, 6, which consists in a single spectral
interrogating unit, made from a spectrometer employing dispersing
element, 61, in the form of a prism or diffraction grating, a focusing
lens in the form of a curved mirror or lens, 62, and a linear CCD or CMOS
array, 63. Such devices have 512 to 4096 pixels, as an example only, and
these pixels are read in sequence at a frequency F, as determined by the
signal 641 delivered by a clock generator 64. The measuring signal 7 is
sent towards the electronics processing unit, 8, which consists in one or
more signal processing channels, two channels are shown for example only,
equipped with amplifiers 81 and 83 and band pass filters 82 and 84, which
drive the block of indicators 9, consisting in loudspeakers 92 and 94,
display device 93 and/or voltmeter 95.

[0054] The measuring signal 7 is fed out in a reading time TR, which
is less than 1/F usually, as shown in FIG. 3a. If such a signal is sent
to a spectrum analyser, multiple components at frequencies F with side
bands at 1/TR are produced. According to the invention, for the
application described here, it is important that the spectrum is as clean
as much as possible, to allow provision of the useful information related
to the OPD to be measured, deprived from stray frequency components. In
order to clean the spectrum, the reading time, TR, is adjusted to be
as close as possible to 1/F. In this way, the signal output from the
array looks like a smooth modulation with no interruption, as shown in
FIG. 3b.

[0055]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention where
principles of SS-LCI are used. In this case, the optical source block, 1,
is made of a tuneable narrow band source, 13.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will recognise that different
configurations are now known for optical sources to provide fast tuning
rates of more than 100 kHz, of linewidth less than 0.1 nm within a
bandwidth of more than 50 nm. Such sources use ring lasers equipped with
an optical amplifier and an optical filter, as described in the following
papers: M. A. Choma, K. Hsu J. A. Izatt, "Swept source optical coherence
tomography using an all-fiber 1300-nm ring laser source," J Biomedical
Optics 10--4, 044009_pp. 044009-1 to 044009-6, 2005 and R. Huber, M.
Wojtkowski, and J. G. Fujimoto, "Fourier Domain Mode Locking (FDML): A
new laser operating regime and applications for optical coherence
tomography," Opt. Express 14, pp. 3225-3237, 2006.

[0057] However, such sources are still very expensive and it is not
generally desirable to pair a low cost optical configuration as presented
in this disclosure with such expensive sources.

[0058] For the purpose of the invention, lower cost sources are therefore
preferred, such sources may be based on a semiconductor laser diode whose
current is ramped. Such sources are known in the field of frequency
modulation continuous wave (FMCW) sensing, as for instance used in the
article "Reflectometric fiber optic frequency-modulated continuous-wave
interferometric displacement sensor" published by Zheng, J in Optical
Engineering, Vol. 44, Issue 12, Article Number: 124404, December 2005 In
this way, a few nm tuning bandwidth is easily achievable. The small
tuning bandwidth leads to a poor depth resolution. However, even depth
resolutions worse than 50 microns could be tolerated for certain
measurements in low cost solutions. Other low cost swept sources are
being developed which could find applications in the invention, using
micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) based tuneable resonators. The larger the
tuning bandwidth the higher the cost of such sources. For digital
processing, a Fabry-Perot interferometer is usually incorporated into a
swept source to provide a clock which is subsequently used for
linearization of data. If tuning bandwidths of 5-10 nm are targeted, then
the swept source is further simplified and its cost is dramatically
reduced by not including any clock generation and no other circuit for
linearization.

[0059] The spectral interrogator 6 in FIG. 4 uses a single spectral
interrogating unit made from a photodetection unit equipped with a single
photodetector or preferably, two photodetectors, 65 and 66 in a balanced
detection configuration with a differential amplifier 67 that produces
the difference of the two photodetected signals and delivers the
measuring signal 7. This is then sent to the electronics processing unit
8. An in-fiber configuration is shown in FIG. 4, used to implement a
single interferometer in the interferometer configuration 2. Light from
the swept source, 13, is sent to a splitter, 21, implemented here as an
example using a single mode directional coupler which splits light into
the object arm towards the point A, on the surface of object 3 and into
the reference arm, towards mirrors 41 and 41' placed on the translation
stage 4, using focusing elements 23 and 23'. Light from the object 3 is
returned via 21 towards a balanced splitter, 20, implemented here as an
example using a single mode directional coupler, where it interferes with
light from the reference arm. The interferometer is equipped with means
known in the art to optimise the polarisation orientation for maximum
interference, such as polarisers 25, 25' and 25'' and equipped with means
to compensate for dispersion, such as optical slabs, 71.

[0060] Procedure

[0061] For both embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 4, a band pass filter, 82 is
set on a frequency corresponding to a desired reference OPD value. For a
central wavelength quadrature, spectral width the axial range, from
point A to point B is given by quadratureZ=0.25M where M are the
number of pixels in the CCD array in FIG. 2 or the number of resolvable
frequency steps for the SS in FIG. . For a central wavelength of 800 nm,
the equivalent coherence length for a source with Gaussian spectrum is
lc= this characterizes the depth resolution, i.e. the differential
distance between adjacent sampling point values on the horizontal axis of
the FFT. By equivalent coherence length lc we mean here the
coherence length of an equivalent time domain (TD)-LCI system excited by
a broadband optical source 11 in FIG. 2 with spectrum width equal to the
tuning bandwidth of the source 13 in FIG. 4. For example, for a nm,
lc m. The ratio quadratureZ by lc determines approximately
the number of modulating cycles in the channelled spectrum,
0.25M/044˜M/2. For an OPD=lc, the channelled spectrum exhibits
one spectral modulation period and M=2 pixels are needed at least in the
linear array 63 in FIG. 2 or at least M=2 frequency steps are required in
the process of tuning the SS, 13, in FIG. 4.

[0062] Let us say that we choose to identify an unknown OPD=quadratureZ,
as a small part of the distance between the surface of the object 3,
point A, up to the interferometer, point B. This would mean a
quadratureZ/lc number of cycles in the channelled spectrum.
Reading the linear array 63 in FIG. 2 at a frequency F, or tuning the
frequency of the source 13 in FIG. 4 at a frequency F, will output a
measuring signal, 7, of frequency f=F(quadratureZ/lc).

[0063] The Audio Signal can be Utilised in Two Ways:

[0064] Intensity

[0065] A band pass filter, 82, will only transfer signal to its output
when the frequency of the input signal is within its bandwidth, therefore
the central frequency of the band pass filter defines a reference
frequency that can be chosen in the process of monitoring or measurement.
This reference frequency corresponds to a chosen reference OPD value,
OPDref. Let us consider a readout CCD (or tuning) frequency F=1 kHz
and OPDref/lc=10. This corresponds to a chosen reference value
of the audio frequency fref=10 kHz, as the main component in the
frequency spectrum of the measuring signal. The measuring means 5 in FIG.
2 and FIG. 4 are adjusted to obtain a maximum for the signal strength at
frequency fref in loudspeaker 92. The narrower the band of the band
pass filter 82, the better the accuracy in the axial measurement. The
maximum of sound heard in the loudspeaker 92 will indicate that the
length of the OPD has reached the sought after reference value
OPDref and an indication of that length will be given by 5.

[0066] Pitch

[0067] Seeking maximum intensity in the loudspeaker requires scanning a
knob or sliding a ruler in 5 in both directions. Preferably, the
invention uses both the intensity of the signal at the output of 82 tuned
on fref as well as the pitch of the sound. To this goal, a second
large bandwidth band pass filter, 84 is used. The pitch gives an
indication on the direction of adjusting the measurement means 5. For the
example above, the band pass filter 84 allows audio frequency signals of
frequency 1 to 18 kHz, within the human hearing band.

[0068] The relative amplitude of the two signals in the two loudspeakers
can be controlled by relatively adjusting the amplification in the
amplifiers 81 and 83. When the signal entered into the bandwidth of 82,
the signal in the loudspeaker 94 can be reduced to zero and the
measurement finalised by maximising the sound in 92. Alternatively, only
one loudspeaker is used, 94, to provide information on the direction of
rotating the knob or sliding the cursor 5, and the optimum adjustment
will only be guided by producing maximum in the light display device or
LED 93 or/and the voltmeter 95. As a further possibility, several
coloured LEDs are used, with different threshold actuating levels. A
liquid crystal display device may also be used, or a coloured display
device that displays stripes of coloured bands, where the frequency of
the colour is proportional to the amplitude of the signal. Several
possibilities exist to sensitize the measurement, known being that the
eye is more sensitive to colour difference than to the colour itself.
Therefore, for each new position of the measuring means 5, the display
device 93 provides at the same time, stripes of colour corresponding to
the previous OPD value as to the current OPD value. The colour difference
will then suggest the direction of adjusting the OPD using 5.

[0069] It is also possible to convert the frequency of the reading signal
7, into amplitude directly, using a frequency to amplitude convertor, 89,
that drives a needle instrument, 95', or a digital meter, 93'.

[0070] The measurement of OPD in both cases above relies on the value
shown by the calibrated knob 5. This could be a micrometer screw, with
divisions at 10 microns. Interpolation between such divisions can give a
resolution in measurement better than 5 microns.

[0071] A proof of concept was set-up for the embodiment in FIG. 2 using a
band pass filter 82 tuned on 2.7 kHz with a bandwidth of 67.5 Hz. A
mirror was used as an object, 3, placed on a stage whose distance was
changed in steps of 0.5 mm. Then, by using the micrometer screw 5, the
OPD was adjusted until maximum signal strength was obtained in the
loudspeaker 92. The position was read on the scale of the micrometer
screw 5 and the graph in FIG. 5 was obtained. This shows that by simply
following the sound in a loudspeaker and using a ruler, the distance from
object 3 up to the interferometer can be measured and monitored with
better than 10 micrometer accuracy.

[0072] Applications

[0073] The method according to the invention can be used for measurement
as well as to monitoring of distances. The stage 4 can be set at a
reference value and from that moment, the fluctuation in distance of the
object mirror 3 can be evaluated by moving stage 4 until sound is
regained in the loudspeaker 92. Automatic procedures can also be devised
according to means known in the art, by using the signal towards
loudspeaker 94. If the pitch sound is higher than the desired frequency
fref, by actuating on means 5, the stage 4 is moved in the direction
of increasing the reference path, to reduce the OPD=object path-reference
path. If the pitch is lower than fref, then the stage 4 is moved to
reduce the reference path length in the interferometer, and so on.

[0074] Eye length measurement

[0075]FIG. 6 illustrates an FD-LCI embodiment for the spectral
interrogating unit where the eye length of a patient, the distance
between point A, on the cornea and point B, on the retina, is measured
using the method according to the invention, based on sound monitoring or
a meter indication or light produced. The output beam from the optical
source, 1, is split into two beams by splitter, 21. The first beam,
object beam, is reflected towards mirrors 27 and 28 placed on a
translation stage 42, whose position is adjustable via the micrometer
screw 5, part of measuring means, and then focused via an interface
optics, shown in the form of a lens 29 and a splitter, 26 on the cornea
31 of the eye 3. The second beam, reference beam, is sent to the retina,
32, of an eye, 3, via mirror 22, 23, 24, 25 and splitter 26. The mirrors
23 and 24 are placed on a translation stage, 41, which can be adjusted by
micrometer screw 5'. To focus light on the retina, 32, the reference beam
needs to be collimated for emmetropic eyes. For long sighted or short
sighted eyes, a reference interface optics may be used to axially modify
the focus position on the retina of the reference beam. A converging or
diverging lens 29' or a curved mirror, or an electrically controlled
liquid crystal lens, or a deformable MEM mirror can be used as 29 and
29'.

[0076] A channelled spectrum is created by the interference of the two
beams, object and reference reflected of the cornea 31, point A and from
respectively retina 32, point B. The cornea signal is at least 1000 time
stronger than the signal from the retina. Therefore, in order to balance
the strengths of the two reflected signals, splitter 26 has a
transmission much higher than its reflection, for instance 95%
transmission (in which case a simple glass plate antireflection coated on
one side could be used, or even 99%). Additional correction of amplitudes
can be obtained by adjusting the transmission of the splitter 21 to
larger values than its reflection, in order to maximise the signal from
the retina 32 for an input power towards the eye close to the safety
limit. Further, an adjustable pinhole, 44, can be used to reduce the
power towards the top, 31, of the object 3. In case the object is the
eye, this also helps with extending the depth of focus of the object
beam, to make the apparatus compatible with non-accurate axial distance
position of the object 3 in respect to the apparatus.

[0077] One or both of the micrometer screws 5 or 5' parts of the measuring
means can be calibrated. The audio frequency of choice, fref, can be
chosen in the range 0.5-15 kHz to correspond to a certain OPD value of
reference, OPDref. This could be associated to the minimum, or the
maximum, or the middle value in the range of eye lengths, let us say, to
a value E=23 mm between points A and B. To accommodate measurements of
eyes shorter or longer than this value, the micrometers 5 (or 5') are
equipped with rulers graded from 17 to 29 mm. Adjusting 5 or 5' to regain
maximum strength in 92 guided by the pitch in 94 leads to the current eye
length value, E. Obviously, because the linear photodetector array, 63,
may have only 1000-2000 pixels, the axial range may be limited to 1 to 4
mm. Therefore, the procedure involves turning the knob of the calibrated
micrometer screw 5, or 5' or both until sound is heard in 94 followed by
enhancement of sound in 92. It is possible that position of knobs
(cursors, micrometer screws) 5 and 5' are such that the OPD value is out
of the limited axial range. In this case, the adjusting knob 5 or 5' is
moved to one extremity and back until the highest pitch, 18 kHz is heard.
From that moment, adjustment is made to bring the pitch of the sound to
that corresponding to the reference value quadraturez.

[0078] The embodiment in FIG. 6 can also operate as a tandem
interferometer, according to the sixth aspect of the invention. In this
case, the 2nd interferometer is constructed as a reading
interferometer, operating in tandem with the sensing interferometer
formed between interfaces 31 and 32. In this case, lenses 29 and 29' are
such as they allow signals from both interfaces 31 and 32 being
transferred to each of the paths of the sensing interferometer, one along
26, 28, 27, 21 and the other along 26, 25, 24, 23, 22 and 21.

[0079]FIG. 7 shows an equivalent of the embodiment in FIG. 6, where the
optical splitter, 21, is a single mode directional coupler. The fiber
output of 21 connects to the launchers situated on stages 41 and 42, via
two couplers, 55 and 56 respectively. The positions of stages 41 and 42
are adjusted to bring the optical path difference between the object path
towards the cornea 31 and the reference path towards the retina, 32 to
the reference value, OPDref which determines the sought after
strength and pitch, fref, respectively in the loudspeakers 92 and
94. The two beams, object from point A, on the cornea 31 and reference
beam from point B, on the retina, 32, are handled separately, as light
form retina does not go through lens 43 and light from cornea does not go
through lens 46. The object interface optics is formed from lenses 43 and
29 and aims to focus light on the cornea, 31. Lens 46 is adjusted to send
a collimated beam towards the eye 3, in case the eye is emmetropic. For a
short sighted or long sighted eye, the lens 46 can be moved in relation
to the output fiber of splitter 55, to adjust the convergence of the
reference beam launched into the eye 3, the fiber end and lens 46 are
identified as parts of the reference interface optics. The output of
coupler 21 provides the output optical signal 60, whose channelled
spectrum is to be interrogated by the spectral interrogator 6 using a
single interrogating unit, based on a spectrometer. Optical signal 60 is
launched as a collimated beam, via focusing element 69, towards the
diffraction grating 61.

[0080] To tolerate eventual placements of the eye 3 away from the ideal
axial position where the object beam focuses on the cornea 31, lens 43
has a small focal length to prepare a small diameter beam launched
towards the lens 29, and lens 29 has a long focal length, and in this
way, a long depth of focus is achieved. This advantageously leads to less
efficiency in collecting backscattered light from the cornea, 31, than
from the retina, 32.

[0081] As additional elements which can be carried to the other
embodiments dealing with eye length measurement, two indicators, 96 and
97 are used in the indicating block 9, to inform the user that sufficient
signal is returned from the point A on the cornea, 31 and from the point
B, on the retina, 32. They could be LEDs, driven by photodetectors 57 and
58 respectively, at the output of single mode couplers 55 and 56
respectively. The two couplers 55 and 56 are used to tap small portions
of the signals returned from retina and cornea to excite the
photodetectors 57 and 58. Before any measurement, it may be necessary to
adjust the convergence or divergence of the object and reference beams to
enhance the strengths of the signals reflected from points A, 31 and B,
32. The adjustment can be performed by moving axially the lenses 29, 29,
43 and 46, or by using liquid crystal, electrically controlled lenses 29,
29', 43 and 46, or using deformable MEMS mirrors as 29, 29', 43 and 46.
It may also be possible that converging elements, 29 and 29' are not
inserted at all and adjustments are made using converging elements 43 and
46 only.

[0082] The process of measurement starts only if LEDs 96 and 97 are lit
up. When 96 and 97 indicate sufficient strength, the measurement is
initiated and consists in actuating on the adjusting means 5 and 5'. The
object 3, a slab or the eye, is adjusted laterally until sufficient
signal is returned to the interferometer configuration 2 from both A and
B points. Only then the OPD is adjusted to achieve the pitch sought
after, fref in both loudspeakers 92 and 94 and maximum sound in
loudspeaker 92.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment, based on Talbot bands, where the
two beams from the anterior chamber and from the retina are sent along
separate paths towards the spectral interrogator unit, 6, using a single
spectral interrogating unit equipped with a grating based spectrometer.
Light coming from the splitter, 21, is deflected by a mirror 27,
non-essential, towards the point A, on the surface of the cornea 31, via
a splitter, 26 and splitter 26'. Light from cornea, point A, is split by
splitters, 26 and 26', into the fiber launcher on stage 42 equipped with
focusing element 43, focusing light into fiber 34. This carries the light
from the point A, on the cornea of eye 3, or from the anterior chamber
towards lens 36 which launches a collimated beam, 601, towards the
grating 61, via optical splitter 30.

[0084] The light reflected from point B, the retina 32, traverses the
optical splitters 26 and 21 towards the focusing element 69 in the fiber
launcher placed on the stage 41, where light is launched into fiber 33.
The two beams are separated, as light form point B, retina 32, does not
go into fibre 34 and light from point A, cornea 31, does not go into
fiber 33. Light from fiber 33 is then conveyed via focusing element 35
into a collimated beam, 602, via splitter, 30. The collimated beams 601
and 602 can be superposed or totally separated spatially by a gap using
the translation stage 43 which moves the launcher with fiber end of fiber
33 and focusing element 35 laterally, using the micrometer screw 53, as
explained in the US patent application 2007/0165234, Spectral
interferometry method and apparatus, by A. Podoleanu.

[0085] Fibers 33 and 34 have similar lengths to keep the dispersion low,
along with the element 71, which compensates for the dispersion in the
eye, usually a cuvette of approximate length equal to twice the eye
length and filled with water. The procedure of measuring the eye length
is similar to that described above where one of the stages 41, or 42 or
both are driven by micrometer screws 5 and 5'. The path difference in air
between the two beams from the anterior and posterior chamber of the eye
are adjustable using the two stages 41 and 42. One of the micrometer
screws (or both) is (are) equipped with a ruler showing eye lengths of
17-28 mm, to cover the normal range of eye length values.

[0086] The advantage of the Talbot bands configuration is that the maximum
sensitivity of the FD-LCI method can be shifted from OPD=0 to a larger
OPD value. The sensitivity peak can be shifted to the value of OPD chosen
as reference, OPDref, and that which gives the pitch of reference,
fret in the loudspeakers 92 and 94. The shift of peak of sensitivity
from OPD=0 is proportional to the gap between the two beam 601 and 602
which can be adjusted using knob 53 to move stage 43 that displaces the
beam 602 parallel to beam 601 in its way towards diffraction grating 61.

[0087]FIG. 9 discloses another embodiment for measuring the thickness of
object 3 or eye length of an eye 3, where the optical source 13 is
tuneable and narrow band. The interferometer configuration uses a single
interferometer collecting light via separate paths from 31 and from 32.
The spectral interrogator 6 uses a single spectral interrogating unit
using photodetection. Balance detection is implemented using two
directional couplers 21, and 59, feeding two photodetectors, 65 and 66
whose photodetection currents are deducted in the differential amplifier
67. The two beams, object, from point A on the surface of object 3, i.e.
from cornea, 31, of an eye, and the reference beam from point B, retina,
32, are sent via separate paths. Light form retina does not go into the
fiber aperture behind the focusing element 43 and light form cornea does
not go into the fiber aperture behind the focusing element 46. The source
13 is tuned at a rate of 100 Hz for instance and for a reference optical
path difference corresponding to 10 peaks in the channelled spectrum, the
interference signal leads to an audio signal of 1 kHz.

[0088]FIG. 10 discloses an embodiment where the thickness of the object,
3, a glass or polymer plate for instance subject to an external factor,
is monitored using an interferometer configuration employing a tandem
interferometer configuration. A first interferometer, sensing
interferometer, is formed by reflections from the point A on surface 31,
and from point B on surface 32 of the object 3, determining an OPD1,
and a second interferometer (a reading interferometer), which is
adjustable in its optical path difference, OPD2, is formed using
splitter, 47 and mirrors 23 and 27. 1st and 2nd interferometers are
connected in series. Both OPD1 and OPD2 are much larger than
the maximum range measurable, for instance over 1 cm, while the maximum
range measurable is a few mm, axial range limited by the linewidth of the
swept source. In such situations, the channelled spectrum is much denser
than the instrument can decipher. Therefore, only when the difference
quadrature=|OPD1-OPD2| enters within the axial range limited
by the optical source linewidth, a resolvable channelled spectrum is
produced. Using a configuration of tandem interferometry, the pitch of
the signal 7 is determined by the value of quadrature. For each
interferometer, a channelled spectrum modulation is produced. Let us say
that the 1st interferometer, of OPD1 would lead to a measuring
signal 7 which should pulsate at a frequency f1 when tuning the
source 13. The adjustable interferometer, of OPD2 would determine a
measuring signal 7 of frequency f2 when tuning source 13. However,
for large thickness objects 3, when the distance AB is larger than 1 cm,
f1 and f2 cannot be measured due to the limited resolution
conferred by the optical source linewidth. What can be measured, is the
difference of such frequencies, corresponding to only

[0089] Using the knob 5 to alter OPD2, the difference
|OPD1-OPD2| is modified and consequently, the difference of
frequencies |f1-f2|. Let us say that the source 13 is tuned at
a rate F=100 Hz and the channelled spectrum corresponding to consists in
10 peaks. This means that a signal of frequency f=1 kHz is generated when
|OPD1-OPD2|=OPDref. By adjusting the knob 5 to re-obtain
the same pitch of 1 kHz in 92 and 94 allows monitoring of the OPD1,
value read from the calibrated ruler of knob 5.

[0090]FIG. 11 discloses an equivalent embodiment to that shown in FIG.
10, this time using a broadband source, 11, and a spectral interrogating
unit in the spectral interrogator employing the principle of FD-LCI. A
tandem interferometer in the interferometer configuration is used as in
FIG. 10. The measuring signal 7 is now delivered by the linear array, 63,
with the repetition F in scanning the channelled spectrum, determined by
the inverse of the integration time of the CMOS or CCD array used.

[0091] It should be obvious for the person skilled in the art that the
succession of the two interferometers can be reverted in FIGS. 10 and 11,
where light from the optical sources, 11 or 13, is sent first to the
measuring interferometer, of OPD2, and light returned from this
interferometer is sent to the sensing interferometer, of OPD1 (i.e.
to the object 3). This can be simply achieved by reconfiguring the orders
of splitters 21 and 47, to send light first to splitter 47 and then to
object 3.

[0092] The tandem interferometry method used by embodiments in FIGS. 10
and 11 rely on both signals from A and B being returned to the same fiber
aperture with sufficient strength, as practised in common path LCI and
OCT. The length of fiber between the splitter 21 and focusing element 46
does not influence the OPD1, this is a common path transferring
optical signals from both interfaces 31 (A) and 32 (B). The focusing
element 46 determines a long depth of focus allowing sufficient strength
signal from both points, 31 and 32. For better efficiency, in both FIGS.
10 and 11, all elements of block 2 from FIG. 6 can be employed around
splitter 21 to deliver light to the eye 3, with output of splitter 21
delivered to splitter 47.

[0093] The tandem interferometry embodiments in FIGS. 10 and 11 implement
a regime that leads directly to the difference of frequencies f1 and
f2 in the spectrum of the measuring signal 7. This difference can
also be created using a two beam interferometer scheme, as disclosed in
FIG. 12. In the embodiments in FIGS. 10 and 11, interference was produced
between the two measuring points, and often, the interfaces from the
object return low level signals and the resulting interference signal is
therefore weak. To improve on the signal strength, the embodiment in FIG.
12 operates on a different principle, where the interferometer
configuration consists in two interferometers, each sending its own
output signal towards the spectral interrogator unit 6. A first output
optical signal is created between object signal from point A (of low
strength) and a local reference signal, A' of high strength. The optical
path difference between A and A' is OPD1 and the frequency generated
by reading the channelled spectrum due to interference of signals from A
and A' is f1. A second output optical signal is produced between
object signal returned from point B (of low strength) and a local
reference signal, B', of high strength. The optical path difference
between B and B' is OPD2 and the frequency generated by reading the
channelled spectrum is f2. The spectral interrogator 6 outputs a
measuring signal containing in its spectrum both frequencies f1 and
f2. Then, electrical mixing in 85 leads to the difference of
frequencies.

[0094] To achieve such functionality, light from source 11 is split by
splitter 45, light at its 1st output is directed via interface
optics towards the two points, A and B. At the 2nd output, light is
sent to splitter 37, which splits light towards mirror 38 (point A') and
mirror 39 (point B'). Let us say that the length along 21, 27, 28, 26 up
to 31 (A) is similar to that along 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 32 (point
B). Then the distance between 37 and 38 is longer than the distance
between 37 and 39 by the eye length (or the thickness to be measured,
AB=E). It is recommendable that frequencies f1 and f2 are
larger than the audible range. Let us say that AA' fluctuates due to the
axial (eye) movements, determining a variation in the channelled spectrum
from 10 to 100 peaks. BB' will vary within a similar range. Let us say
that the number of cycles sought after is 50, in which case the number of
cycles in the channelled spectrum due to BB', which determines OPD2,
will vary between 60 and 150. Reading the channelled spectrum at 2 kHz,
will lead to a frequency f1 varying between 20 and 200 kHz and to a
frequency f2 varying between 120 and 300 kHz. Axial eye movements
will not affect the difference of frequencies f2 and f1. It
should also be noticed that such high pitch frequencies cannot be heard,
so their presence in the spectrum of measuring signal 7 will not disturb
the user.

[0095] To produce the difference of frequencies, block 85 is used. This
operates like a nonlinear amplifier, producing all possible combinations
of periodic signals within signal 7, oscillating at multiple of
frequencies nf1+mf2 where n and m could be any integer number.
Block 85 may also contain high pass filters or band pass filters at its
entry to reduce the noise and reduce the range of frequencies f1 and
f2 applied to its input, as well as a low pass filter at its output,
to eliminate the high frequency components. For instance, a doubler
followed by a low pass filter, will deliver the difference of frequencies
f1 and f2.

[0096] Another version of the embodiment in FIG. 12 is that shown in FIG.
13. The interferometer configuration consists in two independent
interferometers and where the two output optical signals of each
interferometer, are both sent within signal 60, to a single spectral
interrogating unit, a spectrometer in the spectral interrogator 6. The
reference mirrors 38 and 39, for A' and B', are mounted on translation
stages, 42' and 41' behind lenses 48 and 49 respectively. Interference
between A and A' is produced in splitter 56 and between B and B' in
splitter 55. Measurement is performed only after sufficient strength of
signal is obtained in photodetectors 57 and 58, due to the weak signals
from the object, 32 and 31 (points B and A respectively).

[0097] Another version of the embodiment in FIG. 13 is presented in FIG.
14. Here, the interferometer configuration uses two independent
interferometers, each delivers an output optical signal, 60 and 60', to
separate spectral interrogating units, 6 and 6', acting as the spectral
interrogator, using spectrometers equipped with diffraction gratings, 63
and 63' respectively. In this case, the reading of the two channelled
spectra is performed separately. The measuring signals 7 and 7' output of
the two spectral interrogating units pulsate at frequencies f1 and
f2 respectively. A two input mixer 85' is used to mix the two
signals output of spectrometers. Small parts of the interference signals
are diverted by splitters 51 and 52 towards photodetectors 58 and 57.

[0098] A similar embodiment can be implemented using the SS-LCI principle,
as disclosed in FIG. 15, where a swept narrow band optical source 13 is
employed. An interferometer configuration made from two independent
interferometers is used. Light is fed via splitter 59 to two independent
interferometers, equipped with splitters 21 and 20, respectively 21' and
20'. Delay elements 54 and 54' contain an adjustable delay line to
recirculate the reference beam in each interferometer to implement
balance detection in balanced splitters 20 and 20'. Delay block 54
compensates for the air delay up to A, point 31. Delay block 54 acts as
reflector A' and replaces the translation stage 42' in the embodiments in
FIGS. 13 and 14. Delay block 54' acts as reflector B' and replaces the
translation stage 41' in the embodiments in FIGS. 13 and 14.
Recirculation of the reference beams along blocks 54 and 54' is similar
to that used in the embodiment in FIG. 4. These blocks contain similar
components, such as a translations stage 4, mirrors 41 and 41, converging
elements 23 and 23' and dispersion compensating element 71. The spectral
interrogator is made from two spectral interrogating units 6 and 6', each
uses balanced photodetection and delivers each, a measuring signal 7 of
frequency f1 and a measuring signal 7' of frequency f2 to the
two inputs of the mixer 85'. This contains a low pass filter that
delivers a signal whose frequency pulsates at the difference between
f1 and f2.

[0099] Linearity

[0100] A problem for both FD-LCI in the embodiments in FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 8,
11, 12, 13 and 14 as well as for the SS-LCI embodiments in FIGS. 4, 9, 10
and 15 is that the AF spectrum of the signal delivered by the electronic
processing unit, 8, is wide, unless the reading of the CCD (CMOS) array
63 (63') and that, of the photodetection units 65 (66) is linearised in
relation to the optical frequency. Several methods have been proposed,
where the data is digitised, zero-padded and only then a FFT is
calculated. Such procedures are known for the person skilled in the art
and can be implemented here as well if digital processing is adapted. FFT
processors are now low cost and an initial calibration can instruct the
software to be used. However this would involve an extra device and an
extra procedure which may increase the cost.

[0101] As an inventive low cost solution, the present disclosure proposes
a direct provision of a signal linear in optical frequency.

[0102] SS-LCI

[0103] Let us suppose that the tuneable source 13 uses a tunable filter or
is a low cost laser diode ramped in current, as reported in the paper by
J. Zheng mentioned above. In this case, only a few nanometers tuning
bandwidth is achievable, but sufficient to determine a depth resolution
better than tens of microns. More expensive sources can be used to
achieve micron resolution. In both cases above, either using a tuneable
filter in a ring laser or a ramped laser diode, an electrical signal
modifies the optical frequency of the output optical signal. In both
cases, the output frequency manifests a nonlinear dependence on the
electrical input signal, that requires correction. FIG. 16 shows the
effect of a nonlinear block 90 on the input voltage, 91 and on the output
frequency of the swept source 13, denoted as, 99. When tuning the source
13 in the embodiments in FIGS. 4, 9, 10 and 15, the analogue signal
applied to the tuning filter or the laser diode is altered in shape
versus time. For instance let us say that the output frequency, 99, of
source 13 varies faster than linearly as the controlling voltage
increases, as shown in the bottom left in FIG. 16, due to a linear ramp,
91, as shown in the middle of FIG. 16 left. The frequency 99 of the
tuneable source 13 would be nonlinear, as shown by the lower inset left,
if 91 was employed. A simple nonlinear electric circuit, 90, using diodes
can be used to transform the triangle shaped voltage applied to the
tuning filter or laser diode, into a nonlinear shape, 91', as shown in
FIG. 16 middle right. In this way, dependence of the frequency 99 of the
optical signal emitted by 13, versus time approaches linearity, as shown
in the right bottom inset.

[0104] FD-LCI

[0105] Normally, the CCD (CMOS) arrays are read using shift registers
where data is shifted to the output linearly in time, pixel by pixel.
Such arrays are read using a regular clock which feeds the shift register
which controls the successive reading of pixels. It is proposed here that
the clock period is altered from a time slot to the next. By successively
reducing or increasing the time slot of clock time interval, during the
reading time TR (adjusted for quieter spectrum to 1/F as shown in
FIG. 3B), the nonlinear spread of optical frequencies over the linear
array can be compensated for.

[0106] Let us consider a single reflector in the object, 3. FIG. 17(a)
illustrates the prior art, where the output signal, 7, is a nonlinear
sinusoidal signal with nonconstant repetition frequency due to nonlinear
dependence of optical frequency along the photodetector array 63, when
read by a regular clock signal 641. As an example here, it is considered
that from left to right, the frequency of the signal 7 increases. The
inventive step is presented in FIG. 17b, where 64 is a nonlinear clock
generator, as illustrated, the TTL or ECL clock signal exhibits a
nonlinear variation of its period during the reading interval of the
array 63. Such a nonlinear clock alters the timing when each pixel in the
array 63 is transferred out to signal 7. For the case shown in FIG. 17a,
by reducing the clock period at the beginning of the reading time, the
shift register will transfer the arrays charge from the beginning of the
array quicker than when using the regular clock in FIG. 17a. Then, by the
end of the reading time 1/F, the transfer is slowed down by increasing
the period of the clock 641. By nonlinearly changing the time interval
the array cells are read out from one cycle to the next, the output of
the array becomes a clear undistorted sinusoidal signal 7, whose spectrum
presents a narrower better spectrally defined frequency component.

[0107] For each integration cycle, 1/F, pixel data is taken out using the
nonlinear clock 641.

[0108] The novel procedures according to the invention help increasing the
amplitude of the measuring signal 7 and in consequence, the sensitivity
of the set-ups, either FD-LCI or SS-LCI. The larger the reference OPD
value established for measurements, OPDref, the better the
improvement brought by applying the methods described in FIGS. 16 and 17.
In case that OPDref is chosen at small values, then linearization of
data is not necessary, or alternatively, the linearization does not need
to be perfect to achieve sufficient enhancement of the signal. In both
cases in FIGS. 16 and 17, linearization of data versus optical frequency
is performed by altering the speed of reading the channelled spectrum
within each period, 1/F, of such reading. When using the linear array in
FD-LCI, its reading is altered by modifying the moment when signal from a
given photo-site is taken out within the scanning period, using a
nonlinear clock 641. When using the swept source in SS-LCI, the reading
is altered by modifying the voltage shape, 91', which controls the moment
a certain frequency is created, again, within the cycle 1/F.

[0109]FIG. 18 presents an improved embodiment of the electronic
processing unit 8. All its building parts or only some can be electively
used in any of the previous embodiments.

[0110] As a first improvement, because the channelled spectrum reading
frequency F, may be in the audible range, a rejection filter, 86, is
placed on the signal 7, before being sent to band pass filters 82 and 84.

[0111] As another possible improvement, the signal output of the rejection
filter, 86, is beaten with a locally generated signal. This is especially
useful when the frequency f of the measuring signal 7 is larger than the
maximum audible frequency, let us say of famax=20 kHz. A beating
sound, 88, is produced by beating the signal 7 coming out of the spectral
interrogator 6 with a sinusoidal signal of a chosen frequency, G,
generated by a signal generator 87, using a two inputs mixer 85'. For
instance, let us consider that the reading of the channelled spectrum is
performed at F=1 kHz and that the spectral interrogator, 6, has the
resolution to read up to 200 peaks in the channelled spectrum. This would
lead to a range of frequencies for the signal 7 between F and 200 kHz,
where at the maximum it would correspond to an OPD value of approximately
OPDmax=200lc. Let us say that the sought after OPD value of
interest, OPDrefquadrature301, For this OPD value, the channelled
spectrum contains 30 peaks and therefore the signal 7 oscillates at
fref=30F=30 kHz, larger than famax. The generator 87 is
adjusted to deliver a sinusoidal signal of frequency G=fref and
therefore the frequency at the output of 85' is f85'=modulus of f-G,
|f-G|. In this way, when the OPD is increased from minimum value,
OPDmin, the frequency of the signal out of 85' decreases from 30 kHz
to zero when OPD reaches the value of reference, OPDref, and
increases again from zero to 200-30=170 kHz, if continuing to increase
the OPD up to the maximum axial range, OPDmax. In this way, the
process of searching for the desired audio signal requires bringing
f85', i.e. the audio frequency to zero. The range of OPD values
where the frequency f85'=|f-G| is within the audible range would be
for a change in the number of peaks in the channelled spectrum by
famax/F=20 from the number of peaks corresponding to the
OPDref. This corresponds to a range of peaks in the channelled
spectrum from famax/F-OPDref/lc=30-20=10 to
famax/F+OPDref/lc=30+20=50, i.e. to 201, either side of the
sought after value, i.e. an interval of 401, out of a total range of 200
lc, which would be a large error. However, this range can be
drastically reduced to that given by hearing 100 Hz either side of the
zero frequency and optimum adjustment, i.e. to a 20 kHz/(100 Hz)=1/200
range from the case before, i.e. of 0.21c, which would be more
acceptable.

[0112] A more refined adjustment can now be devised. Because the process
of deciding exactly where the frequency of signal 88 reaches zero is
affected by errors, the OPD value is adjusted by knobs 5 or 5' until the
frequency of signal 88 reaches, let us say 1 kHz. The band pass filter 82
is tuned on 1 kHz and drives an LED, 93' or an analogue ammeter, 95' and
maxima are achieved for two positions of the adjusting means
corresponding to two OPD values shown by the measuring means, 5, as
E1 and E2. Let us say that OPD is continuously increased and
E1 corresponds to the first value of OPD when 1 kHz is obtained,
then the frequency of signal 88 decreases, goes through zero and by
continuing the increase in the OPD, the frequency of signal 88 increases
from zero to 1 kHz at E2. Then, the unknown length can be determined
more exactly, as (E1+E2)/2, which approximates OPDref.
This procedure can be applied to any previously presented embodiment.

[0113] A frequency to amplitude converter, 89 could drive another needle
meter, 95', or a digital meter, or a display unit, 93', where the colour
suggests the strength of the signal. This is useful when the frequency of
the measuring signal 7 is higher than the audible range and when using
the mixer 85' which provides the same pitch, irrespective if the
frequency of the signal 7 is lower or higher than the frequency of the
signal generated by generator 87. The frequency to amplitude convertor 89
helps the user understand the absolute direction of OPD change while
following the pitch of sound emitted by 94 after mixer 85'.

[0114] Stethoscope

[0115] A related application is that of monitoring the movement of heart
walls in organisms. Such organisms could be larvae, embryos, animals,
humans. The beating rate can be easily translated into sound.

[0116] Let us consider that in a fly embryo, the heart, object 3 in the
embodiments above, moves by 100 microns. Due to a limited number of
pixels in the array 63, or limited number of frequency steps in the
tuning of the frequency of the optical source, 13, the axial range of the
FD-LCI system is limited. Let us say that the axial range is limited to 1
mm. For a coherence length of 10 microns, an OPD=1 mm will create 100
peaks in the channelled spectrum while the heart movement will correspond
to a change in the number of peaks by 10. For a reading of the linear
array 63 at 20 kHz (selected higher than the maximum audible frequency),
the frequencies generated by reading the array 63 will be from 20 kHz to
2 MHz. The heart wall 3 may be at any OPD value within the 1 mm range,
let us say that it is in the middle, at 0.5 mm, i.e. the frequency
generated during the channelled spectrum reading is 1 MHz. A 100 microns
change in the OPD due to the heart wall movement will lead to a change in
the frequency of 1 MHz by approximately 200 kHz (a change of
100/lc=10 peaks, read at 20 kHz). Beating the photodetector array
signal, 7, with a sinusoidal signal generated by 87, of Fref=1 MHz,
in the mixer 85', will lead to a signal 88, pulsating at a frequency
difference of 0 to 200 kHz. When fed to loudspeakers, 92 and 94, a
variable pitch will be heard, with frequencies from zero to 20 kHz and
pauses due to the inaudible frequencies 20-200 kHz, while 92 will deliver
blips of low pitch when the frequency coincides to that of the narrow
band filter 82, with pauses followed again by the same succession of
frequencies when the heart returns to the initial position. If the embryo
3 moves axially to a different settled axial position, by changing the
value of frequency G, the new position is identified and monitoring can
start again. The process of retuning G is here equivalent to finding the
new axial position of the gate in TD-LCI.

[0117] Operating Room

[0118] Any of the previous embodiments can be used to assist different
interventions in the operating room. For instance, ablation of a bone and
thickness adjustment can be monitored using sound, its intensity and
pitch. The surgeon mainly focuses on the point of ablation, on the
surrounding tissue and an apparatus according to the inventions provides
other guiding information.

[0119] OCT

[0120] To all embodiments above, a transversal scanning head, to deflect
the object beam in a raster fashion, can be added. In this case, the user
can measure variation of thickness of the object within its transversal
surface. Ablation or drop of a solvent can affect such thickness and this
can be easily compared from point to point by following the pitch of the
sound during scanning. For instance, scanning a line in 1 second, allows
continuous observation of sound. In 10-50 seconds all object is scanned,
in 10 to 50 lines. Exact measurement of thickness may not be necessary,
while relative variations of thickness within the transversal section are
easily distinguished from the sound pitch variation.

[0121] For enhanced sensitivity, the blocks 81 and 83 can be equipped with
zero crossing circuits. Such circuits generate a narrow pulse anytime the
incoming signal crosses the voltage value of zero. This can then be
transformed into a sinusoidal signal with repetition frequency determined
by the inverse of time interval from a zero crossing to the next. In this
way, the frequency of the signal heard in 92 and 94 is strictly
proportional to the repetition in the channelled spectrum and the signal
amplitude does not depend on the amplitude of the channelled spectrum.
Sometimes, without such zero crossing circuits, the modulation amplitude
of the channelled spectrum is so high that saturation may occur which
will distort the sound produced by the loudspeakers 92 and 94.
Irrespective of the amplitude of the incoming signal, the zero crossing
sensing blocks 81, 83, will generate signals of constant amplitude and
frequency depending on the repetition of the input signal only.

[0122] Obviously, for those skilled in the art, where splitters are in
bulk, they could equally be in fiber and vice versa. Focusing elements
throughout the disclosure could be curved mirrors or lenses.

[0123] Thus, it has been apparent that there has been provided, in
accordance with the present invention an apparatus which fully satisfies
the means, objects and advantages set forth hereinbefore.

[0124] Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present
invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and
variations thereof may be suggested by those skilled in the art.